CPT. MOUSSA DADIS CAMARA

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara is a Guinean military officer who served as the head of state of Guinea from 2008 to 2009 following a coup d'état. Born on January 1, 1964, in Kouré, Guinea, Camara is an ethnic Guerze from the Forest Region of Guinea. He pursued military education in his home country before attending the University of Conakry, where he studied law and economics. His further military training took place in Germany and Morocco, equipping him with a solid background in military strategy and leadership.

Camara's rise to power was marked by a dramatic turn of events following the death of President Lansana Conté on December 22, 2008. At that time, Camara was serving as the communications director for the army. Following Conté's death, a group of military officers, led by Camara, seized control of the government in a bloodless coup on December 23, 2008. The coup leaders formed the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD), with Camara as its president, effectively making him the head of state.

Under Camara's leadership, the CNDD initially promised to hold elections and restore civilian rule. However, his tenure was marred by increasing political repression and human rights abuses. One of the most notorious incidents during his rule was the massacre on September 28, 2009, when security forces attacked opposition supporters gathered in a stadium in Conakry, resulting in the deaths of at least 157 people and injuries to over a thousand. This brutal crackdown drew widespread international condemnation and increased pressure on Camara's government.

Camara's time in power came to an abrupt end after he survived an assassination attempt on December 3, 2009. He was shot in the head by Lieutenant Aboubacar "Toumba" Diakité, his aide-de-camp, during an argument at a military camp in Conakry. Following the assassination attempt, Camara was flown to Morocco for medical treatment and later moved to Burkina Faso for convalescence. While in Burkina Faso, he agreed to step down from power and supported the transitional government led by General Sékouba Konaté, which paved the way for elections in 2010.

After his departure from Guinea, Camara lived in exile in Burkina Faso. He faced legal challenges, including being indicted for his role in the 2009 massacre. Despite his controversial tenure, he attempted to re-enter Guinean politics. In 2015, he announced his candidacy for the presidential elections, but his participation was impeded by legal and political obstacles, ultimately preventing his return to Guinea.

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara's legacy is a complex one, characterized by his rapid rise to power, the violence and repression during his rule, and his subsequent fall from grace. His brief yet impactful period as Guinea's head of state remains a significant chapter in the country's contemporary history.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moussa_Dadis_Camara